OCD (approach)

Question 1

biological approach to EXPLAINING OCD

Answer 1

genetic explanations
neural explanations

Question 2

genetic explanations

Answer 2

Lewis
- found that 37% of his OCD patients had parents with OCD
- 21% had siblings with OCD
- suggests that OCD runs in families

• the COMT gene regulates the production of dopamine
• high levels of dopamine might be the cause of OCD
• mutations of SERT gene affect the transport of serotonin
• creates mower levels of the neurotransmitter
• low levels are also implicated in OCD

Question 3

neural explanations

Answer 3

• if dopamine levels are abnormally high and/or serotonin levels are low in people with OCD
• when the caudate nucleus is damaged, it fails to suppress the ‘worry’ signals and the thalamus is altered constantly

Question 4

evaluation of biological EXPLANATIONS

Answer 4

twin studies
concordance rates
animals studies

Question 5

twin studies : EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS

Answer 5

Nestadt
- reviewed twin studies
- found 68% MZ twins shared OCD as oppose to 31% of DZ
- demonstrates a genetic cause

Question 6

concordance rates : EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS

Answer 6

• concordance rates are never 100%
• the diathesis-stress model may be a better explanation
• we have a predisposition to OCD but environmental factors determine if we get it

Question 7

animal studies : EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL EXPLANATIONS

Answer 7

Szetchman et al
- found if he increased rats’ dopamine levels with drugs they would display stereotypical behaviour resembling the compulsive behaviour in OCD sufferers

Question 8

biological approach to TREATING OCD

Answer 8

drug therapies

Question 9

drug therapies

Answer 9

• SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are commonly used for OCD
• drugs increase levels of serotonin in the synapse which reduces symptoms e.g. prozac
• if SSRIs are not effective after 3-4 months other drugs may be tried e.g. Tricyclics
• Tricyclics have the same effect on serotonin a SSRIs but have more severe side effects
• may also use SNRIs = increase serotonin and noradrenaline

Question 10

evaluation of biological TREATMENTS

Answer 10

effectiveness
side effects
cost effective

Question 11

effectiveness : EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL TREATMENTS

Answer 11

Soomro
- reviewed 17 studies where SSRIs had been used to treat OCD
- found some cases the SSRI was more effective than a placebo in reducing the symptoms of OCD

Question 12

side effects : EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL TREATMENTS

Answer 12

• SSRIs can cause headaches, nausea and insomnia
• people may stop taking the medication
• the side effects of tricyclics are more severe, including hallucinations and irregular heart beat and weight gain

Question 13

cost effective : EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL TREATMENTS

Answer 13

• drug therapies are relatively cheap when compared to psychological therapies
• they do not require much motivation from the patient to take them unlike cognitive therapies
• HOWEVER they do only treat the symptoms of OCD not the root cause
• if the patient stops taking them then the symptoms usually return